hittle



June 2, 1931. D. HITTLE IGNITION DEVICE Filed March l2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l June2, 1931. D, L Hrm-LE I 1,807,624

IGNITION DEVICE Filed March l2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hg. Q gm@ Ey] a@ MMQM atta/wut( Patented Junev 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DALPHIN L. HITTLE, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T DLCO-REMY CORPORA- TION, 0F ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE IGNITION DEVICE Application filed March 12, 1930. Serial N'o. 435,079.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition devices for internal combustion engines.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, so constructed and arranged as to reduce substantially to a minimum the friction between moving parts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a circuit interrupter of an ignition device with a ball bearing mounting whereby friction is substantially reduced when the circuit interrupter is adjusted to Vary the time of sparking impulses in the engine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ignition device in which ratt-ling is substantially eliminated between moving parts of the device.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the ignition device, with certain portions thereof removed, more clearly to illustrate interior structures.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substan-v tially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in elevation more clearly to illustrate the construction of the device.

,Fig 3 is a View taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, certain parts of the device being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the interrupter platform and the plates supported thereby, said section being taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a flat view of the hold-down plate.

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. l and 2, the ignition device is shown comprising a housing having a bored out central lug portion 21 which rotatably supports the ignition drive shaft22. The end of the shaft 22 extending into the housing 20 has a disc 23 secured thereto, said disc having diametrically opposite posts 24 and 25 provided thereon. Posts 24 and 25 pivotally support centrifugal weight members 26 and 27 respectively, each member having an inwardly extending tongue 28 and 29 respectively adapted to engage with diametrically opposed arms 3() and 3l respectively. These arms form a part of a member 32 secured to the lower end of the sleeve 33. Sleeve 33 fits upon a reduced end 34 of the drive shaft 22. Arms and 31 each carry a post 34 and 35 respectively. A spring 36 is interposed between post l24 supporting the weight member 26, and post 34 on the arm 30. A similar spring 37 is interposed between post 25 carrying the weight 27 and the post on the arm 31. Springs 36, 37 yieldably urge the member 32 so that its arms 30 and 3l are substantially in alignment with posts 24 and 25 respectively. In urging these arms 30 and 3l into this aligned position with posts 24 and 25, Weights 26 and 27 will be moved into the position as shown in Fig. 4, which is the normal position in which they are not 'being acted upon by centrifugal force. The member 38 is a retaining plate carried by the sleeve 33 for maintaining the weights 26-and 27 in proper position on their posts 24 and 25 respectively.

From the aforegoing it may be seen that when the drive shaft 22 operates in a clockwise direction as regards Fig.'4, or more specifically in a direction of the arrow 40, the plate 23 supported on said` shaft will be rotated likewise and consequently plates 26 and 27 will be 'rotated clockwise. The tongue 29 of plate 27 engaging arm 31, and the tongue 28 of lplate 26 engaging arm 30, will cause said sleeve 33 to rotate with the shaft 22 in said clockwise direction.

' A portion of sleeve 33 is 'provided with equally spaced lobes 41 vforming the cam 42 .which operates the circuit interrupter intermittentlyk and at substantially equal intervals. 'Above the cam 42 sleeve 33 has an extension 43 upon which the rotor 44 of the device is secured. Rotor 44 has a contact arm 45 extending therefromv to which a flexible contact finger 46 is attached.

Housing 20 has a cap or cover 47, of any suitable insulating material, secured thereto by clips 48 hingedly secured to the housing 20. The cap 47 is termed thedistributor head and is provided with a central socket 49 for receiving the wire leading from any suitable coil provided in the ignition circuit. A series of similar sockets 50 are provided in the distributor head 47 in equally spaced relation, arranged in a circular` row .about the central socket 49, these sockets 50 being adapted to receive wires, not shown, but which are directed to the spark plug of the engine upon which the device is attached.- The fiexible connecting finger 46 of the rotor engages a button 51 electrically connected with the ter: minal. socket 59. ,Rotor 44 is rotated within the distributor head so that its conductor arm 45 is brought into juxtaposition with terminal posts 52 of the respective sockets 50 so' `that the sparking impulses from the coil, not

shown, is directedthrough socket 49, button 5l, finger 46, conductor arm 45 of the rotor to -the various terminals 52 of the sockets 50 in recurrent, properlytimedsequence. t

As is well known in ignition circuits of this sparking impulses. The present device pro- -vides a circuit interrupter for this purpose.

Thisinterrupter comprises a contact arm and a 'contact bracket 61, the arm carrying the contact 62the bracket the Vcontact 63, which contacts are adapted to cooperate.

In the housing 20 there is secured by screws 65 a platform 66 having a series of apertures. One of these apertures 69 is central of the housing and has the sleeve 42 extending therethrough. Platform 66 'supports the circuit interrupter carrying pla-te 67, which has an annular flange 68 extending into the central opening 69 of the `platform 66 so that bysaid flange 68 the plate 67 is pivotally secured to the platform 66. The opening 69 in the platform 66 communicates with a transverse slot 70 in the platform 66 in which a blade spring 71 is provided, the central portion of said blade spring engaging with the annular flange 68 of the plate 67 and urging said flange toward the side of-the opening 69 diametrically opposite the spring 71 whereby rattling dueto lateral movement between the plate 67 and the platform 66 is substantially eliminated. Plate 66 has recesses 72 aligning with similar recesses 73 in the platform, the respectively aligned recesses of the plate-and,n platform forming chambers in which ballo bearings 74 are provided. vFrom this it may be seenthat the plate' 67 rests upon -ball bearings 74, which in turn are supported by the partition 66. Other recesses 75 in the side of the platform 66j-oppositethe plate 67 receive ball bearings'7 6 which are engaged by dished portions 77 provided in the hold-down plate 78. Hold-down plate 78 is made of any. suitable flexible material and is connected by rivet 79 extending through any suitable aperture provided in the platform 66, with the Jplate 67 in such a manner that the hold-down plate 78 yieldably urges the plate 67 upon its ball bearing 72 and against the platform 66 while the hold-down plate is urged against its ball bearings 77 and into the side of the platform 66 opposite theplate 67.v From this it may be seen that the plate 67 is carried by the platform 66 by bearings which substantially reduce the friction when plate 67 is adjusted relative to the platform 66, as will be described.

\ On plate 67 there is provided a post 80. This post pivotally supports the bracket 61 upon the plate 672 Bracket 61 has a slot 81 elongated, the longer sides thereof being substantially concentric to the pivotal center or post 80' of the bracket. This slot 81 receives the shank of a screw 82 which may be termed the clamping screw, the head thereof engaging the outer surface of the bracket 61, l

the shank screw-threadedly engaging the plate 67. Another elongated slot 84 is provided in the bracket 61, the longer dimensions of said slot running substantially parallel with a line running between the pivotal centerv or 1 post 80 of the bracket and the screw 83 which extends into the slot 81 of said bracket. This slot 84 receives the head 85 of an adjusting member which has a shank portion 86. eccentric to the head 85 thereof, 'said shank portion being rotatably att-ached to the plate 67.

From the aforegoing it may be seenthat when thescrew 83 is loosed and the head 85 is rotated clockwise, bracket 61 will be moved clockwise about its pivotal post 80Y or away p from the cam 42, while a reverse rotation of the head 85, or counterclockwise as regards .the Fig. 1, will move the bracket 61 toward the cam 42. Tightening of screw 83 will clamp the bracket to the plate 67 properly to [with contact 63 on the bracket 61. Arm

60 has a rubbing block 87 adapted to be engaged by the lobes 41 of the cam 42.

Bracket 61 has an angular extension 89 upon which a supporting arm is insulatingly attached by rivets 91. Supporting arm 90 has a terminal clip 92 secured thereto and one end of the conductor spring 93 by the screw 94. Terminal clip 92 has a flat portion fitting substantially over the pivotal post 80 and tends to maint-ain the contact arm 60 in proper position upon said post. This terminal clip 92 has one end of a flexible conductor wire 95 secured to it in close proximity to the pivot:

post 80, said conductor wire 95 also being connected with a terminal 96 which is electrically connected with the terminal post 97 insulat-ingly carried by the housing 20.

As has been mentioned, one end of a conductor spring 93 is attached to the bracket arm 90 by screw 94. Thus this end of the conclamped therebetween, forming a partition in the interior of the chamber formed by the shell portions 103 and 104. VTo the shell 104 there is secured a nipple 106 adapted to receive a pipe connection 107, recessed as at 108. The diaphragm 105 has a recess member 109 secured thereto-on one side, while a clamping member 110 is secured to the other side of said diaphragm, members 109 and 110 being secured together by a. stud passing through the diaphragm. A spring 111 is interposed between the nipple 106 and the member 109 carried by the diaphragm, said spring yieldably urging said diaphragm toward and against the member 103 whereby the chamber 112, formed between shell member 104 and the diaphravm 105, is at its maximum size. To the mem er 110 a connector arm 113 is hingedly attached, the opposite end of the arm having a stud'114 which fits into an opening 115 in the plate 67 and thus connects the arm 114 to theplate 67. In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the arml 103 extends through an opening 116 in the housing 20.

The device functions in the following manner:

The drive shaft 22, drivingly connected with the engine in any suitable manner, rotates the cam sleeve 42 through the speed responsive adjusting means including weights 26 and 27 and member 32 including arms 30 `and 31. Increased speedsl will move the arms`26 and 27 outwardly, their tongues 28 and 29 rotating the member 32 in the direction of rotation to rotate the cam 42 in the same direction for the purpose of advancing the time of sparking impulses in accordance with the increase in engine speed.

The time of sparking impulses is also controlled in accordance with engine load or suction conditions. A pipe, not shown, but leading from any suitable suction line in the engine, is connected with the nipple 107 which communicates with the space 112 in the fluid pressure controlled means 102. If the suction of the engine is increased, then the diaphragm 105 is moved toward the member 104 of the ed by said plate 67 will be moved in a similar counterclockwise direction as regards the cam 42, or in a direction opposite the rotation of the cam 42, thereby advancing the time of interruption of the contacts 62 and 63 and consequently advancing the time of sparking impulses. By supporting the plate 67 upon ball bearings, frictionv is substantially reduced.

The terminal clip 92 serves a two-fold purpose: This clip not only maintains the contact arm 60 in proper position on its pivot pin 80,

but it also provides a connector adjacent said pivot 4pin 80 for the lead wire 95, which electrically connects the terminal 97 of the ignition unit with the spring conductor 93 of the contact arm 60. f

Battling due to relative lateralmovement between the plate 67 and the platform 66 is substantially eliminated by the provision of' the blade spring 71 which engages the annular flange 68'of the plate 67 and yieldably urges it into engagement with one side of the opening 69 in the platform.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow. What is claimed is as follows:

1. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; a stationary platform; a plate adjustably carried by the platform, said plate supporting the interrupter; ballbearings interposed between the plate and platform; and fluid pressure controlled means connected to the plate for adjusting it relative to the interrupter operating member.

2. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a

circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; a stationary platform; a "'platef pivotally supported Aby the plat-form saidplate supporting the interrupter; ball- 5 bearings interposed between the plate and platform; and fluid pressure l controlled means connected to the plate for adjusting 1t relative to the interrupter operating member O- 3. An ignition device for an .internal combustion engine comprising, 1n comblnatlon,

a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; an apertured, stationary platform; a plate carryingthe interrupter,

and having an annular flange extending into .I the aperture of the platform, pivotally securing said plate to said platform; ball bearings interposed between the plate and platform; and fluid pressure lcontrolled means connected to the plate for adjusting it'relative to the interrupter operating member.

4. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; an apertured,.stationary platform; a plate carrying the interrupter,l

and having an annular flange extending into the aperture of the platform, pivotally se curing said plate to said platform; a spring carriedby the platform and engaging the annular flange of `theu plate, urging 'said v flange to engage the annular wall 'of the apert ture in the platform substantially toprevent rattling; ball bearings interposed between A, 55 the plate and platform; and fluid pressure means connected to the plate for adjusting it relative'rto the interrupter operating memf ber. v

5. An ignition device for an internal com- 40 bustion engine comprising, in combination,

a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; an apertured, stationary platform; a plate carrying the interrupter; and having an annular flange extending into the aperture'of thellatfolm pvotallV-7 securing said plate to said platform; a blade spring secured in the aperture `of the plati form and engaging-the annular flange of the plate, said spring urging said flange to engage the annular surface of the aperture dia-metrically opposite the spring substantiallyto prevent relative lateral movement v between the plate and platform; ball-bearings interposed between the plate and platform; and suction controlled means .con-

` vnected to the plate for adjusting it relative to the interrupter operating member. 6. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, 50* a circuit interrupter; a member for operating s aid interrupter; a stationary apertured platform; an interrupter carrying plate on one side .of the platform; a hold-down plate on the other side of the platform; means ex- -5'5 tending through apertures in the platform and ball-bearings interposedbetween the plat` form and the interrupter carrying plate and .hold-down plate' respectively; and means extending through an aperture inthe platform and securing the two plates together whereby the flexible hold-down plate will urge the interrupter supporting plate against the ballbearings on the platform.

8. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a circuit interrupter; a member for operating said interrupter; a stationary apertured platform; an interrupter carrying plate on one slide of the' platform; a hold-down plate on the other side of the platform; means extending through apertures in the platform and securing the interrupter `carrying plate and hold-down plate together; ball-'bearings interposed between the two, said plates and the platform; a fluid pressure controlled adadjusting member and removably attached to the interrupter carrying plate.

9. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a housing; an apertured, stationary platform in said housing; a rotatable shaft journalled in said housing and extending through an aperture in the platform; a plate on one side of the platform; a circuit interrupter on said plate; a cam on the shaft for operating 4the circuit interrupter; a hold-down plateon the side of the platform opposite the interrupter plate; ball-bearings between the respective plates and the platform; means, extending through apertures in the platform, securing the interrupt-er plate to the holddown plate so that both plates are urged upon their respective ball-bearings; a pressure operated member secured to the outside of the housing;.and an operating arm atjusting member; andan arm secured to said tached to said member, extending through an' A opening into the housing and removably secured to thefinterrupter plat-e. ,i

10. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a housing; a`rotatable cam; a stationary'platform in said housing; a plate adjustably carriedl by said platform; a circuit interrupte-r comprising a contact lever and contact bracket; a

pivot post on the plate, pivotally supporting both the lever and bracket; a support insulatingly carried by the interrupterV bracket; a terminal clip secured to the support and fitting upon the pivot post of the Contact lever to maintain said lever thereupon; a 'spring conductor also secured to the-support-and to the lever urging said Y lever toward the cam; a terminal insulat-V ingly carried by the housing; and a flexible conductor connecting said terminal with the terminal clip on the pivot post ofthe lever.

-In testimony whereof I hereto ax my signature.

DALPHIN L. HITTLE. 

